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Is Russia Being Driven Into the Arms of China?

The “isolation of Russia” idea is one which has been receiving a lot of traction of late. Russia’s recent economic woes have sometimes been covered with barely contained glee despite the hardships that average Russians may have to endure if the rouble continues to collapse … not to mention the inevitable geo-political backlash.

Russia has become isolated from its western neighbours on account of the putsch in Ukraine which led to the predominantly ethnically Russian Crimea seceding from Kiev through a democratic process.

European governments slavishly adhere to U.S. imposed sanctions. So from a western elite point of view, Russia is indeed isolated.

Whether antagonising Russia is damaging to Russia is a moot point. Certainly in Russia’s current straits the bankrupt west is in no position to help. European farmers are suffering from loss of export markets while Europe is still dependent on Russian natural gas.

So how “isolated” is Russia in reality?

Firstly, it is worth pointing out the obvious fact that countries do not have “friends”, just “interests”. Representatives of countries may have good relationships but these are built on expediency – not friendship.

So while there may be a great deal of distrust between the major powers of Asia these issues are being overlooked for now because it is expedient. Standards of living across the board have been rising in Asia for twenty years. It is in no countries interest to enter into conflict.